VENDORS and touts are reportedly swarming and choking the Registrar-General’s Office in Bulawayo, causing chaos at the free parking space allocated for the department’s clients.
Bulawayo provincial registrar Jane Peters told Southern Eye that the vendors had created a situation where clients think there are long queues in the registration office.
She said people visiting the office should not be deterred by the chaos caused by the vendors and touts.
“It’s a walk in, walk out, but when you go outside our premises, which is supposed to be the clients’ parking area, it’s full of people, those people are not coming into the office,” Peters said.
“They do not want our services. They are there to fleece the clients that are coming in and create a situation where people will think there are long queues inside.”
She said the situation was more difficult for applicants coming from outside Bulawayo.
Peters said although police deploy details at the office, the problem has worsened.
“This has been going on for years. We have requested police to come and clear the place and they are supposed to be there monitoring the situation while making sure those people are not milling around outside, but it still continues, nothing happens. They come everyday, but there is no change,” Peters said.
She also accused the vendors of selling services provided for free by the RG’s Office.
Southern Eye observed that Peter’s appearance at the registry gate causes vendors and touts to vanish with their wares as they are scared of her more than the police.
Early last month, passport applicants expressed concern over the long queues at the Bulawayo RG’s Office.